Background

Alzheimer’s disease, which is pathologically characterized by an excessive accumulation of amyloid beta (Aβ) fibrils, is a degenerative brain disease and the most common cause of dementia. In a previous study, it was reported that an increased level of CHI3L1 in plasma was found in AD patients. We investigated the inhibitory effect of 2-({3-[2-(1-cyclohexen-1-yl)ethyl]-6,7-dimethoxy-4-oxo-3,4-dihydro-2-quinazolinyl}sulfanyl)-N-(4-ethylphenyl)butanamide (K284-6111), an inhibitor of chitinase 3 like 1 (CHI3L1), on memory impairment in Aβ1–42-infused mice, and microglial BV-2 cells and astrocytes.

Methods

We examined whether K284-6111 (3 mg/kg given orally for 4 weeks) prevents amyloidogenesis and memory loss in Aβ1–42-induced AD mice model. After intracerebroventrical (ICV) infusion of Aβ1–42 for 14 days, the cognitive function was assessed by the Morris water maze test and passive avoidance test. K284-6111 treatment was found to reduce Aβ1–42-induced memory loss.

Results

A memory recovery effect was found to be associated with the reduction of Aβ1–42-induced expression of inflammatory proteins (iNOS, COX-2, GFAP, and Iba-1) and the suppression of CHI3L1 expression in the brain. Additionally, K284-6111 reduced Aβ1–42-induced β-secretase activity and Aβ generation. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced (1 μg/mL) expression of inflammatory (COX-2, iNOS, GFAP, Iba-1) and amyloidogenic proteins (APP, BACE1) were decreased in microglial BV-2 cells and cultured astrocytes by the K284-6111 treatment (0.5, 1, and 2 μM). Moreover, K284-6111 treatment suppressed p50 and p65 translocation into the nucleus, and phosphorylation of IκB in vivo and in vitro.

Conclusion

These results suggest that CHI3L1 inhibitor could be an applicable intervention drug in amyloidogenesis and neuroinflammation, thereby preventing memory dysfunction via inhibition of NF-κB.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most common cause of dementia, can be characterized by difficulties in memory, language, problem-solving, and other cognitive abilities to perform everyday activities [1]. Familial AD is involved with mutations in the amyloid precursor protein (APP), presenilin 1 and 2 [2]. N- and C-terminus of the amyloid beta (Aβ) domain is proteolytically cleaved to yield the Aβ peptide [3, 4]. Aβ accumulation, the neuropathological hallmark of AD, leads to synaptic dysfunction and neurodegeneration in critical brain regions involved in cognition and memory [5, 6]. It was notably reported that intraneuronal Aβ accumulation was detected in the brain tissue of AD patients [7, 8]. Therefore, there has been extensive effort to find a cure for AD through the reduction of Aβ.

The activation of nuclear transcription factor-kappa B (NF-κB), especially the constitutively activated NF-κB in chronic inflammatory patients, has been involved with a wide variety of human diseases, including AD, Parkinson’s disease (PD), rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, and asthma [9, 10]. Several investigations have demonstrated that activated NF-κB was detected in AD patients’ brains [11]. Disruption of NF-κB in p65 knockout cells reduced β-site APP-cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) expression contributing to Aβ generation and NF-κB p50 subunit deletion which leads to memory deficits through the reduction of neurogenesis and protection of hippocampal neurons in vivo [12, 13]. The main amyloid plaque, Aβs, can exert pro-apoptotic effects by activating NF-κB pathway when extracellularly applied to cultured neurons, but also enhance the intracellular production of Aβ peptides [9]. It has been suggested that NF-κB plays an important role in the neuroinflammatory responses in neurons and astrocytes, so upregulation NF-κB enhances pro-inflammatory/inflammatory stimuli in AD neuropathology [14]. NF-κB inactivation could show reducing effects in cellular Aβ generation since the promoter for the BACE1 gene contains functional NF-κB-binding elements. Therefore, regulation of NF-κB plays a key role in Aβ-associated AD pathogenesis.

It has been previously described that chitinase 3-like I (CHI3L1) participates in connective tissue cell growth, endothelial cell migration, and inhibition of mammary epithelial cell differentiation and promotes tumor angiogenesis [15]. Furthermore, CHI3L1 is mainly expressed in astrocytes and activated microglia in a variety of neurodegenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, stroke, and AD so CHI3L1 could be an important prognostic biomarker of neuroinflammatory damage [16]. The secretion of CHI3L1 by activated microglia and astrocytes could accelerate the macrophage infiltration, new angiogenesis, and neuron death associated with neuroinflammation [17]. It has also been reported that CHI3L1 level is elevated in the plasma of AD patients [18]. The expression pattern of CHI3L1 in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is extensively overlapped with p-tau and Aβ1–42 in AD patients [19]. In an animal study, the level of chitinase 1 proteins were time-dependent and significantly increased in APP/PS1 mice aged 22 months compared to age-matched wild-type mice [20]. These data indicates that chitinase 1 is associated with disease progression in AD. CHI3L1 synergistically cooperates with pro-inflammatory cytokines to activate NF-κB signaling [21]. Inflammation-induced CHI3L1 efficiently activates the NF-κB signaling pathway and enhances the secretion of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, suggesting an existence of a positive feedback loop of pro-inflammatory cascade [22–24]. Thus, it is possible that CHI3L1 could be a new target form of therapy for inhibiting AD. We also previously found that 20 chemicals, among 14 million chemicals, could be candidate compounds for the inhibition of CHI3L1 by using 3D chemical database analysis with X-ray structure-based virtual screening (data are not shown). Therefore, we investigated whether 2-({3-[2-(1-cyclohexen-1-yl)ethyl]-6,7-dimethoxy-4-oxo-3,4-dihydro-2-quinazolinyl}sulfanyl)-N-(4-ethylphenyl)butanamide (K284-6111) suppresses amyloidogenesis and neuroinflammation in vivo and in vitro studies, and thus ameliorates Aβ-induced memory dysfunction.

Ethical approval and consent to participate

The experimental protocols were carried out according to the guidelines for animal experiments of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) of Laboratory Animal Research Center at Chungbuk National University, Korea (CBNUA-1073-17-01). All efforts were made to minimize animal suffering and to reduce the number of animals used. All mice were housed in three mice per cage with an automatic temperature control (21–25 °C), relative humidity (45–65%), and 12-h light-dark cycle illuminating from 08:00 a.m. to 08:00 p.m. Food and water were available ad libitum. The mice were fed a pellet diet consisting of crude protein 20.5%, crude fat 3.5%, crude fiber 8.0%, crude ash 8.0%, calcium 0.5%, and phosphorus 0.5% per 100 g of the diet (obtained from Daehan Biolink, Chungcheongbuk-do, Korea). During this study, all mice were observed for normal body posture, piloerection, ataxia, and urination two times per day to minimize pain and discomfort.

Chemicals

2-({3-[2-(1-Cyclohexen-1-yl)ethyl]-6,7-dimethoxy-4-oxo-3,4-dihydro-2-quinazolinyl}sulfanyl)-N-(4-ethylphenyl)butanamide (K284-6111) and other chemicals were obtained from ChemDiv, Inc. (Cat No. 3292320, San Diego, CA).

Animal experiments

Eight-to-10-week-old male imprinting control region (ICR) mice (Daehan Biolink, Chungcheongbuk-do, Republic of Korea) were maintained and handled in accordance with the humane animal care and use guidelines of Korean FDA. The infusion mouse model was adapted from previous work on the rat infusion model. The anesthetized animals were placed in a stereotaxic instrument, and catheters were attached to an osmotic mini-pump (Alzet 1002, ALZA, Mountain View, CA, USA) and a brain infusion kit 1 (Alzet kit 3–5 mm, ALZA) that were implanted according to the following coordinates: mouse (unilaterally): − 1.0 mm anterior/posterior, + 0.5 mm medial/lateral, and − 2.5 mm dorsal/ventral. The pump contents were released over a period of 14 days consisting of 300 pmol aggregated Aβ1–42 (Bachem Chemical, Torrance, CA, USA) dissolved in a sterile saline (0.9% NaCl) for each pump. The behavioral tests of learning and memory capacity were then assessed using three tests (water maze, probe, and passive avoidance tests).

Morris water maze

The water maze test is a commonly accepted method for memory test, and we performed this test as described by Morris et al. [25]. Maze testing was carried out by the SMART-CS (Panlab, Barcelona, Spain) program and equipment. A circular plastic pool (height: 35 cm, diameter: 100 cm) was filled with squid ink water kept at 22–25 °C. An escape platform (height: 14.5 cm, diameter: 4.5 cm) was submerged 1–1.5 cm below the surface of the water in position. On training trials, the mice were placed in a pool of water and allowed to remain on the platform for 120 s and were then returned to their cage. The mice that did not find the platform within 60 s were placed on the platform for 10 s at the end of the trial. The mice that did find the platform and stayed on it for 3 s within the 60 s were placed on the platform for seven more seconds at the end of trial. These trials were performed on a single platform and at two rotational starting positions. Escape latency and escape distance of each mouse was monitored by a camera above the center of the pool connected to a SMART-LD program (Panlab, Barcelona, Spain).

Probe test

To assess memory retention, a probe test was performed 24 h after the water maze test. The platform was removed from the pool which was used in the water maze test, and the mice were allowed to swim freely. The swimming pattern of each mouse was monitored and recorded for 60 s using the SMART-LD program (Panlab). Retained spatial memory was estimated by the time spent in the target quadrant area.

Passive avoidance performance test

The passive avoidance test is generally accepted as a simple method for testing memory. The passive avoidance response was determined using a “step-through” apparatus (Med Associates Inc., Vermont, USA) that is divided into an illuminated compartment and a dark compartment (each 20.3 × 15.9 × 21.3 cm) adjoining each other through a small gate with a grid floor, 3.175-mm stainless steel rods set 8 mm apart. On the first day, the mice were placed in the illuminated compartment facing away from the dark compartment for the training trial. When the mice moved completely into the dark compartment, it received an electric shock (0.45 mA, 3 s duration). Then the mice were returned to their cage. One day after training trial, the mice were placed in the illuminated compartment and the latency period to enter the dark compartment defined as “retention” was measured. The time when the mice entered into the dark compartment was recorded and described as step-through latency. The retention trials were set at a cutoff time limit of 3 min.

Brain collection and preservation

After the behavioral tests, mice were perfused with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS, pH 7.4) with heparin under inhaled CO2 anesthetization. The brains were immediately removed from the skulls and divided into the left brain and right brain. One stored at − 80 °C and the other fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde for 72 h at 4 °C and transferred to 30% sucrose solutions.

Thioflavin S staining

After being transferred to 30% sucrose solutions, brains were cut into 20-μm sections by using a cryostat microtome (Leica CM 1850; Leica Microsystems, Seoul, Korea). After washes in distilled water for 5 min, brain sections were transferred to gelatin-coated slides and placed in 1% thioflavin S (thioflavin S, Sigma, St Louis, MO, USA) for 5 min. Brain sections were then washed in distilled water and then dehydrated through ascending grades of ethanol, 50, 70, 90, and 100% ethanol for 2 min in each grade. The sections were then mounted in a mounting medium (Fluoromount™ Aqueous Mounting Medium, Sigma, St. Louis, MO, USA). The thioflavin S staining was examined using a fluorescence microscope (Axio Observer A1, Carl Zeiss, Oberkochen, Germany) (× 100).

Measurement of Aβ1–42

Lysates of brain tissue were obtained through a protein extraction buffer containing protease inhibitor. Aβ1–42 levels were determined using each specific mouse amyloid beta peptide 1–42 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) Kit (CUSABIO, CSB-E10787m). Protein was extracted from brain tissues using a protein extraction buffer (PRO-PREPTM, Intron Biotechnology, Korea), incubated on ice for 1 h, and centrifuged at 13,000×g for 15 min at 4 °C. In brief, 100 μL of sample was added into a precoated plate and incubated for 2 h at 37 °C. After removing any unbound substances, a biotin-conjugated antibody specific for Aβ1–42 was added to the wells. After washing, avidin-conjugated horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was then added to the wells. Following a wash to remove any unbound avidin-enzyme reagent, a substrate solution was added to the wells and color developed in proportion to the amount of Aβ1–42 bound in the initial step. The color development was stopped and the intensity of the color was measured.

Assay of β-secretase activities

β-secretase activity in the mice brains was determined using a commercially available β-secretase activity kit (Abcam, Inc., Cambridge, MA, USA). Solubilized membranes were extracted from brain tissues using β-secretase extraction buffer, incubated on ice for 1 h and centrifuged at 5000×g for 10 min at 4 °C. The supernatant was collected. A total of 50 μL of sample (total protein 100 μg) or blank (β-secretase extraction buffer 50 μL) was added to each well (used 96-well plate) followed by 50 μL of 2× reaction buffer and 2 μL of β-secretase substrate incubated in the dark at 37 °C for 1 h. Fluorescence was read at excitation and emission wavelengths of 335 and 495 nm, respectively, using a fluorescence spectrometer (Gemini EM, Molecular Devices, CA, USA).

Astrocytes and microglial BV-2 cell culture

Astrocytes were prepared from the cerebral cortex of rat embryos (E18). After the skull was cut and the skin was opened, the brain was released from the skull cavity. After washing with PBS, the cerebrum was separated from the cerebellum and brain stem, and the cerebral hemispheres were separated from each other by gently teasing along the midline fissure with the sharp edge of forceps. The meninges were gently peeled from the individual cortical lobes and the cortices were dissociated by mechanical digestion [using a cell strainer (BD Bioscience, Franklin Lakes, NJ, USA)]. The resulting cells were centrifuged (1500 rpm, 5 min), resuspended in serum-supplemented culture media, and plated into 100-mm dishes. The cells were seeded on culture flasks T-75 and incubated in Dulbecco’s modified Eagle’s medium (DMEM)/F-12 (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA) containing 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) (Invitrogen). The culture medium was replaced every 3 days thereafter. After 14 days, the cultures became confluent and loosely attached microglia and oligodendrocyte precursor cells were removed from the cell monolayer using a shaking incubator (37 °C, 350 RPM, 2–4 h). Astrocytes were subsequently detached using trypsin-EDTA and plated into 100-mm cell culture dishes. The percentage of astrocytes in our culture system was more than 95%. Microglial BV-2 cells were maintained with serum-supplemented culture media of DMEM supplemented with FBS (10%) and antibiotics (100 units/mL). The microglial BV-2 were incubated in the culture medium in a humidified incubator at 37 °C and 5% CO2.

Nitrite assay

Astrocytes and microglial BV-2 cells were plated at a density of 5 × 105 cells/well in six-well plates per 2 mL medium for 24 h. After removing the culture medium, the cells were then treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (1 μg/mL) and K284-6111 (0.5, 1.0, 2.0 μM) per 2 mL medium for 24 h. The nitrite in the supernatant was assessed using a nitric oxide (NO) detection kit (iNtRON Biotechnology, Seongnam, Korea), according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Finally, the resulting color was assayed at 520 nm using a microplate absorbance reader (VersaMax ELISA, Molecular Devices, CA, USA).

Transfection of siRNA

Microglial BV-2 cells were plated in 12-well plates (1 × 105 cells/well) and were transiently transfected with siRNA for 30 min, using a mixture of CHI3L1 siRNA (20 nM) and the RNAiMAX reagent in OPTI-MEM, according to the manufacturer’s specification (Invitrogen). The transfected cells were treated with K284-6111 (0.5 μM) for 24 h and then used for detecting protein expression.

Pull-down assay

CHI3L1 was conjugated with cyanogen bromide (CNBr)-activated Sepharose 4B (Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, MO). CHI3L1 (1 mg) was dissolved in 1 ml of coupling buffer (35% DMSO and 0.5 M NaCl, pH 8.3). The CNBr-activated Sepharose 4B was swelled and washed in 1 mM HCl through a sintered glass filter, then washed with a coupling buffer. CNBr-activated Sepharose 4B beads were added to the K284-6111-containing coupling buffer and incubated at 4 °C for 24 h. The CHI3L1-conjugated Sepharose 4B was washed with three cycles of alternating pH wash buffers (buffer 1, 0.1 M acetate and 0.5 M NaCl, pH 4.0; buffer 2, 0.1 M Tris-HCl and 0.5 M NaCl, pH 8.0). CHI3L1-conjugated beads were then equilibrated with a binding buffer (0.05 M Tris-HCl and 0.15 M NaCl, pH 7.5). The control unconjugated CNBr-activated Sepharose 4B beads were prepared as described above in the absence of CHI3L1. The cell lysate was mixed with CHI3L1 conjugated Sepharose 4B or Sepharose 4B at 4 °C for 24 h. The beads were then washed three times with TBST. The bound proteins were eluted with SDS loading buffer. The proteins were then resolved by SDS-PAGE followed by immunoblotting with antibodies against CHI3L1 (1:1000, Santa Cruz Biotechnology).

Docking procedure

Docking studies between K284-6111 and CHI3L1 were performed using Autodock VINA. Three-dimensional structures of the CHI3L1-DNA complexes were retrieved from the Protein Data Bank [PDB:1VKX], and a three-dimensional structure of CHI3L1 was built using Chem3D and ChemDraw, which was further prepared using AutodockTools. The grid box was centered on the CHI3L1 monomer, and the size of the grid box was adjusted to include the whole monomer. Docking experiments were performed at various default exhaustiveness values: 16, 24, 32, 40, and 60. Molecular graphics for the best binding model were generated using the Discovery Studio Visualizer.

Statistical analysis

For the measurement of the image data, ImageJ (Wayne Rasband, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD) was used. Group differences were analyzed by a two-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni’s post hoc analysis using GraphPad Prism 5 software (Version 5.02, GraphPad software, Inc., La Jolla, USA).

K284-6111 prevents memory impairment in Aβ1–42-infused mice

A timeline which depicts the treatment of K284-6111 and assessments of the cognitive functions of the mice is described in Fig. 1a. Morris water maze and passive avoidance performance were performed to investigate the effect of spatial learning and memory improvement by K284-6111 in AD. A two-way ANOVA showed that the Aβ1–42-infused mice (44.29 ± 4.08 s) (df = 10, F = 3.205, p value = 0.0011) learned more slowly than control mice (18.70 ± 76 s), and K284-6111-treated mice (26.56 ± 4.36 s) showed a great reduction in escape latency on day 6 (Fig. 1b). K284-6111-treated mice (290.1 ± 55.52 cm) (df = 10, F = 1.665, p value = 0.0969) also showed a shorter escape distance (Fig. 1c) compared to Aβ1–42-infused mice (603.7 ± 82.75 cm). We then performed a probe test to calculate the time spent in the target quadrant zone for testing maintenance of memory 1 day after the water maze test. K284-6111-treated mice (31.50 ± 6.64%) spent much more time in the quadrant zone than the Aβ1–42-infused mice (15.79 ± 1.46%) (Fig. 1d). Oral treatment of K284-6111 (3 mg/kg) for 1 month effectively recovered the Aβ1–42-induced memory loss in AD mice model. The memory capacities were evaluated with the passive avoidance test. There was no significant difference in the learning trial. However, K284-6111-treated mice (80.01 ± 8.61 s) exhibited increased step-through latency compared to the Aβ1–42-infused mice (22.52 ± 6.59 s) in the testing trial (Fig. 1e).

Fig. 1

K284-6111 improves memory impairment in Aβ1–42-infused mice. a Timeline depicts the treatment of K284-6111 and assessments of the cognitive functions of mice. The male mice (n = 10) were orally treated with K284-6111 at a daily dose of 3 mg/kg for 4 weeks. After infusion of Aβ1–42 (300 pmol/day) for 14 days, memory tests were conducted. The training trial was performed two times a day for 7 days. Swimming time (b) and swimming distance (c) to the platform were automatically recorded. The time spent in the target quadrant and target site crossing within 60 s were represented (d). To perform the passive avoidance test, step-through method was used (e). Each value is presented as mean ± S.D. from 10 male mice. #Significant difference to control mice (P < 0.05), *Significant difference to Aβ1–42-injected mice (P < 0.05)

K284-6111 reduces neuroinflammation in Aβ1–42-infused mice brain

Neuroinflammation is critical for amyloidogenesis and memory loss by activation of astrocytes and microglia cells. Therefore, we performed immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Western blotting to detect the expression of CHI3L1, inflammatory protein (iNOS), GFAP (a marker of astrocyte activation), and Iba-1 (a marker of microglia cell activation) in the brain. The GFAP-reactive cell and Iba-1-reactive cell were reduced in the mice brain with the treatment of K284-6111 compared to those in Aβ1–42-infused mice which showed much higher numbers of cells reactive for these marker proteins compared to non-treated mice brain (Fig. 2a, b). The Western blotting study also showed an elevated expression of CHI3L1, inflammatory proteins (iNOS and COX-2), and GFAP and Iba-1 by Aβ infusion, but these expressions were significantly reduced by the treatment of K284-6111 accompanied with the decreased expression level of CHI3L1 (Fig. 2c). We also found that K284-6111 treatment decreased Aβ-induced mRNA levels of CHI3L1 (Fig. 2d), TNF-α (Fig. 2e), IL-1β (Fig. 2f), and IL-6 (Fig. 2g) in brain tissues.

Fig. 2

K284-6111 on Aβ1–42-infused mice in both GFAP and IBA-1-positive mice brain. Immunostaining of CHI3L1, iNOS, GFAP, and Iba-1 proteins in the hippocampus were performed in 20-μm-thick sections of mice brain with specific primary antibodies and biotinylated secondary antibodies (a, b). The expression of CHI3L1, GFAP, Iba-1, COX-2, and iNOS were detected by Western blotting using specific antibodies in the mice brain. For the cropped images, samples were run in the same gels under the same experimental conditions and processed in parallel. Band density was quantified from three mice (c). mRNA levels of CHI3L1 (d), TNF-α (e), IL-1β (f), and IL-6 (g) were detected by qRT-PCR in hippocampus. #Significant difference to control mice (P < 0.05), *Significant difference to Aβ1–42-injected mice (P < 0.05)

We investigated whether K284-6111 reduces amyloidogenesis in the Aβ1–42-infused mice. We detected accumulation of Aβ1–42 in the brain through thioflavin S staining that is dyed with beta sheet-rich structures of Aβ. Compared to the non-treated mice brain, much higher accumulation of Aβ1–42 was found in the brains of Aβ1–42-infused mice compared to non-treated mice brains. However, the accumulation of Aβ1–42 was reduced in the brains of K284-6111-treated mice (Fig. 3a). Quantitative analyses of the Aβ level were performed using ELISA. A significantly higher Aβ1–42 level in the brains of Aβ1–42-infused mice was reduced by the treatment of K284-6111 (Fig. 3b). Since Aβs are produced by activated β-secretases, we measured the activity of β-secretase in the brain. The activity of β-secretase was increased in the brains of Aβ1–42-infused mice, while the activity was significantly decreased in K284-6111-treated mice brains (Fig. 3c). We also performed a Western blot to detect the proteins involved in amyloidogenesis. Aβ1–42 elevated expression of APP, BACE1, and C99 significantly, but the K284-6111 treatment prevented the elevation of their expression level (Fig. 3d).

Fig. 3

K284-6111 inhibits accumulation of Aβ1–42 in the brain of Aβ1–42-infused mice brain. a Aβ accumulation in the brains of Aβ1–42-infused mice was determined by thioflavin S staining. The levels of Aβ1–42 in mice brain (n = 5) were measured by ELISA (b). The activity of β-secretase in mice brain (n = 5) was investigated using an assay kit (c). The expression of APP, BACE1, and C99 were detected by Western blotting using specific antibodies in the mice brain (d). For the cropped images, samples were run in the same gels under the same experimental conditions and processed in parallel. Band density was quantified from three mice (d). #Significant difference to control mice (P < 0.05), *Significant difference to Aβ1–42-injected mice (P < 0.05)

K284-6111 inhibits Aβ1–42-induced NF-κB activation

NF-κB is critical for amyloidogenesis and neuroinflammation. We examined the functional subunits of NF-κB complex, and p50 and p65 protein expression using Western blot. The increased nuclear translocation of p50 and p65 by Aβ injection was prevented by the K284-6111 treatment. It was confirmed that K284-6111 also decreased the expression of cytoplasmic phosphorylated IκBα in total extract as well as nuclear translocation of p50 and p65 in nuclear extract (Fig. 4a). The interaction of K274-6111-Sepharose 4B beads with cell lysate containing CHI3L1 protein was assessed using a pull-down assay. The interaction of K284-6111-Sepharose 4B beads with CHI3L1 was then detected by immunoblotting with anti-CHI3L1 antibody. The results indicated that K284-6111 interacted with cell lysates containing CHI3L1 from B16F10 (Fig. 4b). To identify the binding site of K284-6111 to CHI3L1, we performed computational docking experiments with K284-6111 and CHI3L1 (Fig. 4c). We found that K284-6111 directly binds CHI3L1 with the strongest protein-binding affinity (− 9.7 kcal/mol) to Arg263, Thr293, Glu290, Lys289, Thr288, Phe287, Leu356, Trp352, Trp99, Asn100, Phe58, Glu36, Arg35, Tyr34, Trp31, and Trp69 in the docking model. Furthermore, CHI3L1 siRNA augmented K284-6111-induced inhibitory effect on NF-κB and inflammation gene expression (Fig. 4d).

Fig. 4

K284-6111 on NF-κB translocation related DNA-binding activity-mediated CHI3L1. Phosphorylation of IκB, and p50 and p65 translocation was detected by Western blotting using specific antibodies in mice brain. β-actin and HistoneH1 protein was used as an internal control, and the graphs represented the arbitrary density of blot signal (a). Band density was quantified from three mice (a). Whole cell lysates of B16F10 were incubated with K284-6111-conjugated Sepharose 4B. After precipitation, the levels of bound CHI3L1 were monitored by Western blot analysis (b). Docking model of K284-6111 (c). CHI3L1 siRNA augmented K284-6111-induced inhibitory effect on NF-κB expression and inflammation (d). Each value is mean ± S.D. from three experiments (d). *Significant difference from control group (p < 0.05). # Significant difference from Aβ1–42-infused group (p < 0.05)

In an in vivo study, it was demonstrated that K284-6111 prevented Aβ-induced neuroinflammation. We further investigated the anti-inflammatory effects in cultured astrocytes and BV-2 microglial cells after treatment of LPS (1 μg/mL) with K284-6111 (0.5, 1.0, 2.0 μM). We first investigated the effects of K284-6111 on NF-κB nuclear translocation using immunofluorescence imaging in microglial BV-2 cells and astrocytes. Binding of the p65 NF-κB subunit can be detected through p65 immunofluorescence since p65 binding to the NF-κB is responsive to the IκBα gene promoter [26]. LPS induced nuclear translocation of the NF-κB protein, p65, in 30 min. In contrast, the K284-6111 pretreatment prevented the translocation of p65 into the nucleus dose-dependently (Fig. 5a, b). To clarify whether K284-6111 could influence inhibition of translocation of NF-κB protein, p50 and p65, we performed Western blotting. We determined NF-κB activation through the detection of p50 and p65 expression, and IκB phosphorylation. Phosphorylation of IκB and translocation of p50 and p65 were significantly decreased by the treatment of K284-6111 in BV-2 cells and astrocytes (Fig. 5c, d).

Fig. 5

K284-6111 inhibits NF-κB translocation in microglial BV-2 cells and cultured astrocytes. The cultured microglial BV-2 cells (a) and cultured astrocytes (b) were incubated with anti-p65 (red) and DAPI staining (blue). Phosphorylation of IκB, and p50 and p65 translocation were detected by Western blotting using specific antibodies in microglial BV-2 cells (c) and cultured astrocytes (d). Each value under the bands is mean ± S.D. from three experiments (c, d). #Significantly different from control group (p < 0.05). *Significantly different from LPS-treated group (p < 0.05)

To investigate the inhibitory effects of K284-6111 on neuroinflammation and amyloidogenesis in vitro, microglial BV-2 cells and primary cultured astrocytes were treated with 1 μg/mL of LPS and 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 μM of K284-6111. It was detected that the nitrate level was decreased dose dependently in microglial BV-2 cells (Fig. 6a) and astrocytes (Fig. 6b). We then detected the expression of inflammatory proteins (iNOS, COX-2) as well as marker proteins of microglial cells (Iba-1) and astrocytes (GFAP) using Western blotting. The K284-6111 reduced LPS-induced increased expression of inflammatory proteins in a dose-dependent manner in microglial BV-2 cells (Fig. 6c) and cultured astrocytes (Fig. 6d). To figure out the anti-amyloidogenesis effect of K284-6111 related to anti-inflammatory effects, we investigated BACE1 and APP expression in both cells. The expression levels of BACE1 and APP protein were increased in LPS-treated cells, whereas the expressions were reduced by K284-6111 treatment in microglial BV-2 cells and primary cultured astrocytes (Fig. 6e, f). To further investigate the significance of CHI3L1, we treated microgial BV-2 cells with K284-6121 (1 μM) after the cells were transfected with siRNA (10 nM), and then NO generation and iNOS, COX-2, BACE1, CHI3L1, and p50 in nucleus expression were detected. The transfected CHI3L1 further inhibited NO generation and expression of the protein related with inflammation and amyloidogenesis (Additional file 1: Figure S1).

Fig. 6

K284-6111 on neuroinflammatory and amyloidogenic responses in microglial BV-2 cells and astrocytes. NO level was measured in K284-6111-treated microglial BV-2 cells (a) and astrocytes (b). CHI3L1, iNOS, COX-2, and Iba-1 proteins were detected by Western blotting using specific antibodies in K284-6111-treated microglial BV-2 cells (c). CHI3L1, iNOS, COX-2, and GFAP proteins were detected by Western blotting using specific antibodies in K284-6111-treated cultured astrocytes (d). APP and BACE1 proteins were detected by Western blotting using specific antibodies in K284-6111-treated microglial BV-2 cells (e) and cultured astrocytes (f). Each value under the band is mean ± S.D. from three experiments (c, d, e, f). #Significantly different from control group (p < 0.05). *Significantly different from LPS-treated group (p < 0.05)

Accumulating epidemiological evidences have suggested that a number of neuroinflammation responses, such as elevated inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, and an accumulation of activated microglial, are significant for AD development [27]. The CHI3L1, a member of glycoside hydrolase 18 chitinase family, has been expressed in numerous chronic neuro-inflammatory diseases [28]. In a previous study, the CHI3L1 serum levels were increased for various central nervous system diseases including human immunodeficiency virus encephalitis, stroke, multiple sclerosis (MS), and glioblastoma [15, 29]. Moreover, it was also reported that an increased level of CHI3L1 in CSF was detected in AD patients [30]. Therefore, it has been suggested that CHI3L1 could be a new biomarker of AD and target for treatment of AD [31]. Our findings suggested that K284-6111 could be a candidate drug for anti-amyloidogenesis and anti-neuroinflammation through the inhibition of CHI3L1 activity.

CHI3L1 has the ability to bind RAGE (receptor for advance glycation end product) which contributes to various cellular responses with enhanced activation of NF-κB, MAPK, and β-catenin signaling pathways [32]. NF-κB has been well documented in decreasing transcription factors regulating β-secretase in brain cells, resulting in neuronal cell death with accumulation of Aβs [11]. In pathological conditions, NF-κB activation upregulates promotor activity of the BACE1, which is responsible for Aβ peptide production from APP cleavage, resulting in elevated Aβ levels [33]. Increased p65 protein level in the frontal cortex of AD patients was detected compared to similar-aged controls [12]. In these experiments, K284-6111 showed the inhibition of the NF-κB activation and NF-κB-related neuroinflammatory gene expression including COX-2, iNOS, GFAP, and Iba-1, but also inflammatory cytokines such as NO, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 accompanied with the inhibition of CHI3L1 expression in the brain. Additionally, K284-6111 inhibited the translocation of p65 subunit in microglial BV-2 cells and cultured astrocytes. Thus, inactivation of NF-κB by K284-6111 confers significant anti-neuroinflammatory and anti-amyloidogenesis roles in the brain.

Although it has been predicted that CHI3L1 can perform lectin-like function, no physiological ligands have been identified yet. Previous studies have demonstrated that NF-κB is essential for induction of CHI3L1. However, the neuroinflammatory pathway could be regulated through inhibition of a large extent to constitutive secretion of CHI3L1 [34]. In our study, we found that K284-6111 directly binds CHI3L1 with the strongest protein-binding affinity (− 9.7 kcal/mol) in a docking model and K284-6111 bound with cell lysates containing CHI3L1 from B16F10 in pull down assay. It was also illustrated that K284-6111 has an anti-inflammatory effect in LPS-induced microglial BV-2 cells and cultured astrocytes via inhibition of NF-κB-mediated CHI3L1 activation. This inhibitory pathway of NF-κB was accompanied with a decreased level of Aβ1–42 and mRNA level of CHI3L1 and pro-inflammatory cytokines including TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, and neuroinflammatory proteins including CHI3L1. These suggest that the inhibitory effect NF-κB could be followed by inhibition of CHI3L1 activation contributing to anti-neuroinflammatory and anti-amyloidogenic properties.

The structure of K284-6111 could penetrate the blood brain barrier since it binds to the proteins easily within the blood plasma, so K284-6111 exhibits significantly advantageous drug-likeness in CNS disease evaluated by computational ADME QSAR models using preAPMET (http://preadmet.bmdrc.org) and StarDrop (http://www.optibrium.com) soft programs. Furthermore, K284-6111 shows 73.6% of bioavailability (Tmax: 309 min, Cp Max: 0.1 μg/mL) because it has a lower first-pass elimination in the liver and gut wall. Since we treated this compound before treatment of Aβ1–42 and during the Aβ1–42 treatment period, it may be possible that this compound could be effective for prevention or treatment therapy. Thus, it is possible that K284-6111 could be a candidate compound to be developed as a drug.

In conclusion, we demonstrated that K284-6111 has anti-amyloidogenic and anti-neuroinflammatory effects with improving neuronal survival and memory deficiency in Aβ1–42-infused mouse model and LPS-induced microglial BV-2 cells and cultured astrocytes. K284-6111 has a potential application for neuroinflammatory diseases, such as AD, through inactivation of NF-κB-mediated CHI3L1.

Funding

This work is financially supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea [NRF] Grant funded by the Korea government (MSIP) (No. MRC, 2017R1A5A2015541), and by the Functional Districts of the Science Belt support program, Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning.

Availability of data and materials

All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article.

Authors’ contributions

JTH conceived the design of this study and coordinated all phases of the preparation of the manuscript. JYC, IJY, KCK, WRC, J-KJ, S-BH, and JTH participated in data analysis and helped draft the manuscript. All authors read, approved, and agreed to submit the final manuscript to the Journal of Neuroinflammation.

Ethics approval and consent to participate

The experimental protocols were carried out according to the guidelines for animal experiments of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) of Laboratory Animal Research Center at Chungbuk National University, Korea (CBNUA-1073-17-01).

Consent for publication

Not applicable.

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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